Russia to evacuate its North Pole - 40 station because of decaying ice

May 23, 18:03UTC+3The station is tasked to monitor pollution impacts in high latitudes of the Arctic Ocean and to carry out meteorological observations

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MOSCOW, May 23 (Itar-Tass) - Russian Minister of Natural Resources Sergei Donskoi has set a task of evacuating the North Pole-40 Arctic station in a span of three days.

“The Arctic station is facing difficulties because of abnormal natural processes unfolding in the Arctic basin that have led to the decay of the ice sheet,” the ministry said in a release posted on its website on Thursday.

According to the ministry, decaying ice near the station pose a life threat to its personnel and may cause environment pollution in Canada’s economic zone, where the station is drifting.

The station is tasked to monitor pollution impacts in high latitudes of the Arctic Ocean and to carry out meteorological observations. Currently, there are 16 staff members at the station.